Cape Henlopen School District operates 9 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | Cape Henlopen School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 6,500 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 9 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
- Love Creek Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 631 students
- Lewes Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 620 students
- Milton Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 582 students
- Rehoboth Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 557 students
- H. O. Brittingham Elementary School — Grades K–5 · 506 students
- Mariner Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 552 students
- Frederick D Thomas Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 451 students
- Beacon Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 427 students
- Cape Henlopen High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,889 students
- Sussex Consortium — Grades PK–12 · 439 students
About Cape Henlopen School District
Families in zip code 19966 (Lewes, Delaware) are assigned to Cape Henlopen School District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Cape Henlopen School District runs approximately $14,000 annually, placing it 15% below the Delaware state average of approximately $16,500 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Cape Henlopen School District is a mid-sized district with 9 schools serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 6,500 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Cape Henlopen School District 10 out of 10 — top-tier among Delaware public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Delaware is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Cape Henlopen School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Delaware on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 19966 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 19966
Children in zip code 19966 are assigned to Cape Henlopen School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 19966, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Cape Henlopen School District at (302)645-6686 or visit www.capehenlopenschools.com. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Delaware districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Lewes
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Cape Henlopen School District serves zip code 19966, homes in and around zip code 19966 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Delaware, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Cape Henlopen School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 19966.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Cape Henlopen School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 19966 data.